JP2003166165A - Method for compensating pattern distortion on sheet-type work material spread onto support surface - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for compensating a pattern distortion on a sheet-type work material spread onto a support surface. <P>SOLUTION: This method comprises the following practice: the work material 26 is spread onto the support surface 14 and images of selected areal portions of the work material are captured; a controller 18 analyzes these images and projects them onto a display 30, whereupon the images are mapped to define any distortion in the work material; the controller then undistorts the images of these areal portions and projects them back onto the display so that an operator can position undistorted digital representations of pattern pieces onto the undistorted images of the work material; the controller then distorts the geometry of the pattern pieces positioned on the work material by the operator to conform to the distortion in the spread material; thus the aimed undistorted pattern is afforded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the production of markers on sheet-type work materials, and more particularly to the work material being spread on a support surface prior to performing a work operation. Defined by the work material that occurs as a result (definition, division, formation; defin
e) Analyzing and compensating for the distortion of the pattern that is done.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is particularly suitable for use in the production of markers generally utilized in the manufacture of garments and will be described in connection with such use. However, the present invention is not limited to this point,
When a sheet material having a pattern is spread and the pattern is distorted (for example, when cutting a fabric for decorating furniture)
Then, it is possible to benefit from the present invention. Therefore, the following description of the invention should be considered as illustrative and not limiting.

In mass production of garments, one or more layers of fabric are typically laid out on a spreading table, as is known to those skilled in the textile processing arts. The fabric is then transferred, often via a conveyor, onto a support surface that forms part of a fabric processing apparatus such as a cloth cutting machine.

Elongation and strain often occur during unfolding of the fabric and subsequent movement of the fabric over the processing equipment. This is a problem especially when the fabric contains a pattern. This is because a pattern piece cut from a stretched and distorted fabric without compensating for its deformation will have a similar distorted pattern.

Generally, the pattern pieces are arranged on a spread fabric in a spatial array of garment segments located in a cutting sequence. This spatial arrangement of garment segments is referred to as a "marker" by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Typically, the markers are computer created to optimize the piece pattern density and thereby minimize debris on the fabric or other spread material. Traditionally, computerized marker systems have simply produced markers with sufficiently large tolerances between adjacent pieces. The spread is first cut so that the pieces to be matched (matched) include the above tolerances. These pieces are then given to a skilled worker. A skilled worker manually aligns some patterns in a geometrically flared design and then cuts the matched pieces again. Spreads (workpieces) with geometric patterns such as plaids and stripes also created difficulties. This is because the garment designer can specify the pattern alignment within several adjacent pieces. As a result, more work material is wasted, slower technicians are used in the cutting process, and it is always more costly to cut a piece from an unfolded one with a geometric design. Become.

When the bow and skew of the fabric at the reference point is different from the bow and skew of the fabric at the point to be aligned with the reference point, the prior art overlays the match image with the reference image. Attempts to perform machine-assisted matching, as well as requiring operator assistance to visually align the patterns, introduce alignment difficulties.

Moreover, if the image to be searched contains an undistorted version of the image to be found, the algorithm for automatic pattern matching is well suited. Attempts to account for image distortion in the automatic matching process increase the complexity and time consumption of the matching algorithm. Distortion may also reduce the likelihood that the matching algorithm will succeed.

Attempts have also been made in automatic matching between the unfolded fabric and the pattern pieces, such that the match points are restricted to adjustment in only one coordinate direction. In this example, the apparently exact match point can result in incorrect adjustment to the marker. To illustrate this problem, a reference is shown in Figure 1, in which two pattern pieces,
Reference pieces and match pieces are shown. Match pieces are shown in unmatched positions (unmatched positions). One figure is given to the reference point (reference point) “R” on the reference piece, and the next figure is given to the match point (match point) “M” on the match piece. After this, the computer analyzes and compares the two images. The purpose is to move the match piece so that it matches the pattern defined within the perimeter of the reference piece. The automatic matching routine will return to point "A" in Figure 1 as a modified match point for reference point "R". Since the automatic matching routine allows movement of the match piece in only one coordinate direction, in the direction indicated by "X" in FIG.
Point "M" will be moved in the X direction to overlap point "A". Based on the pattern defined within the perimeter of Figure 1, the correct match point is "A",
Therefore, the automatic matching technique cannot properly align the point "M" with the point "R".

Based on the above, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a method for eliminating the problems and drawbacks of the conventional method and correcting the pattern distortion of the sheet type work material spread on the support surface.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of correcting pattern distortions in sheet-type work material spread over a support surface. In this, a work material processing device that partitions the support surface is provided. At least one layer of work material is spread over the support surface and an image of the localized portion of the work material in the spread state is captured by the means provided. This means
An image is captured that corresponds to the location where the pattern pieces that make up the producer will be located and sends a signal to the controller that corresponds to the captured image.

The controller is programmed with a marker shape to similarly analyze the strain in the pattern defined by the unrolled workpiece. A display in communication with the controller receives the signal from the controller and projects an image corresponding to the captured image. The distortion of the pattern shown in the captured image is then mapped, which allows the controller to analyze the extent (extent) of the distortion. The mapped image of the distorted pattern is then undistorted by the controller and the undistorted image is displayed on the display. An undistorted digital representation of a pattern fragment, which will consist of markers
tions) are then positioned by the operator on the undistorted image of the unfolded workpiece. This is because the pattern defined within the boundaries of the pattern pieces is aligned with the pattern corresponding to the image of the spread work material displayed on the display. Once the pattern piece is located, the controller defines the geometry defined by the pattern piece as the actual portion of the pattern defined by the local portion of the work material (on which the pattern piece is located). With respect to the distortion, when the pattern piece is cut out from the work material that has been spread out, the pattern contained therein is not distorted.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for capturing the image of the work piece as it is unrolled onto the support surface is a camera. Preferably the support surface is substantially flat and the camera is mounted on a beam extending across the support surface. The beam is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the support surface, and the camera is movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 2, an apparatus for processing sheet-type workpieces is indicated generally at 10 and is depicted in the illustrated embodiment as a cross cutting machine. The cross cutting machine partitions the frame 12, which supports the support surface 14 carried on it.
Have. The cutting machine 10 also includes a beam 16 which extends transversely to the support surface and which extends in the machine longitudinal direction in response to command signals generated and output by a controller 18 in communication with the cutting device. It can be moved back and forth. Cutting head 2 with cutting tool 22
0, for example a cutting head 20 fitted with a reciprocating blade
Are attached to the beam 16 and move in the beam longitudinal direction in response to a command signal generated and output by the controller 18.

A camera 24 is attached to and moves with the cutting head 20 to capture a single layer image of the sheet-type workpiece. The sheet type work material defines a pattern 28 thereon. A display 30, shown as a computer type monitor in the illustrated embodiment, communicates with the controller as well as the camera 24. The controller 18 is a PC
Although shown in the illustrated embodiment as a portable computer, the invention is not limited in this respect and is generally programmable, eg programmable, to receive signals from a camera or sensor and to send the received image to a display. Any type of controller, such as a logic controller, can be replaced without departing from the broad idea of the invention. Also, although a computer-type monitor is shown and described in the illustrated embodiment, the invention is not limited in this regard as well, for example, on a screen panel capable of displaying an image of a localized portion of a spread work material. Any type of display, such as a stored screen, can be replaced without departing from the broad concept of the invention.

The controller 18 is programmed to move the beam 16 and the cutting head 20 across the surface of the work piece 26 carried by the support surface 14 to perform both image capture and cutting operations. The controller is also programmed with a series of pattern pieces (not shown) that collectively define the markers. Further, the controller is programmed to map the pattern distortion defined by the work piece 26 spread over the support surface 14 and eliminate that pattern distortion, as will be described in more detail below.

During the marker generation operation, the beam, cutting head 20 and camera 24 are moved over the surface of the work piece 26 laid out on the support surface 14, where the pattern pieces defining the marker are located. An image of the corresponding unrolled local portion of the work piece 26 is captured by the camera. The signals generated by the camera 24 corresponding to these captured images are accepted by the controller, which generates the indicator signals for those images to be displayed on the screen of the display 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image captured by the camera 24 and displayed on the display 30 causes the distortion of the pattern defined by the work material 26 as a result of the work material 26 being spread over the support surface 14. Shows. This distortion can be in the form of arcuate pattern lines, which in the undistorted state should be straight, similar to the pattern shifted from its original position. This is referred to by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs as bow and skew. In addition to bowing and skewing, the resulting work material 26 spread over the support surface 14 can be stretched in several directions. Therefore, the width of the geometric portion of the pattern becomes narrower, wider, or changes in size from the expected size without distortion. Thus, pattern distortions can make it extremely difficult for an operator to properly match the pattern pieces that make up a marker, for example for a piece of clothing. In this, the garment designer has identified a distinct pattern orientation for each pattern piece relative to the others.

As shown in FIG. 4, prior to locating any digital representation of the pattern pieces (discussed in more detail below), the unfolded workpiece 26 captured by the camera 24.
The distortion of the pattern in the local part of is mapped.
The mapping is performed by the operator using a pointing device. The pointing device is, for example, a mouse, which positions a reference point 33 on the displayed image of the distorted local portion of the work material 26, along with various geometric elements defining a work material pattern. It is for. These mapped reference points 33 are analyzed by the programmed controller 18 to define and manipulate pattern distortions.
This pattern distortion is then analyzed by the controller and a distortion-free pattern image is displayed on the display 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operator again manipulates, via a pointing device such as a mouse, the digital image of the pattern piece 34 defining the marker on the undistorted image displayed on the monitor. it can. This may provide a near-perfect match between the pattern required by the pattern piece 34 and the undistorted image of the spread pattern defined by the spread workpiece. The position of the pattern piece 34 can be fixed. This process continues until each pattern piece requiring a match is properly positioned. In this regard, the controller 18 distorts the geometry defined by the individual pattern strips 34 according to the strains that are mapped in the local portions of the unfolded workpiece 26 in which they are located. The cutting device can be operated to cut each distorted shaped pattern strip from the spread work piece 26. This will result in the trimmed pattern pieces defining the proper contour and pattern orientation for them when the pattern pieces are removed and the distortion due to the spreading of the workpiece is not a factor.

Further, since the manipulation of the digital representation of the pattern strip 34 as shown in FIG. 5 is performed on the display screen, the image is defined by pixels. The distance between consecutive pixels is known.
Pixel discontinuities can result in aliasing because the image is not distorted according to the above processing and display on screen 30. To correct this, a technique known as Goraud shading is adopted. This technique basically blurs the image points between pixels so that a jagged image is not created and a smooth look is created.

While the preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is described by way of example and not limitation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional method of automatically aligning a pattern piece with a pattern, in which the pattern piece or match piece can only be moved in one coordinate direction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flat bed type cross cutting device, which has a layered sheet type work material positioned on a cutting table to define a pattern.

3 schematically illustrates a portion of the layered sheet type work material of FIG. 2 showing the distortion of the pattern defined by the work material as a result of spreading the work material on the cutting device of FIG. Show.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the work piece of FIG. 2 showing operator defined mapping points located along a strain pattern.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the undistorted state of the pattern shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with a digital representation of the undistorted pattern pieces located on the pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Work material processing equipment 12 frames 14 Support surface 16 beams 18 Controller 20 cutting head 24 cameras 26 Work Material 28 patterns 30 display 32 pointing device 33 Reference points 34 pattern pieces

Continued front page    (71) Applicant 599099559             24 Industrial Park R             oad West, Tollland, Co             necticut, United St             ates of America (72) Inventor Andrew Zink             United States Connecticut Sta             Stafford Springs Wales             Road 29 F term (reference) 3B154 AB19 AB27 BA47 BB45 BB51                       BB53 BB67 BB77 BC16 BC29                       BC31 BC42 BC47 CA03 CA13                       CA23 CA29 CA33 CA43 DA24

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for correcting pattern distortion of a sheet type work material (26) spread on a support surface (14), comprising at least one layer of sheet type work material (26) defining a pattern (28). And a supporting surface (14) carried by the frame (12) and the frame (12).
0), spreading the work material (26) on the support surface (14), and capturing an image (24) of a local portion of the work material spread on the support surface. A step of providing means for providing the pattern (28) defined by the work material.
Providing a controller (18) that is programmed to analyze the strain of the workpiece and communicates with a means for capturing an image (24) of the work material (26);
0), capturing an image of the local portion of the work material (26) spread over the support surface and transmitting the image to the controller (18); and the controller (18). Projecting the image on the display (30) based on a signal received from the device, and mapping the distortion of the pattern (28) defined by the localized portion of the spread workpiece (26). A step of causing the controller (18) to eliminate the distortion of the image of the local portion and displaying an image without distortion of the local portion on the display (30); and the distortion-free image of the work material (26). above,
Locating a distortion-free digital representation of the pattern piece (34), the controller (30) including the pattern piece (34)
The geometrical shape defined by
6) Distorting so as to match the pattern distortion of the local portion, so that when the pattern piece (34) is cut from the spread work material, the pattern therein is not distorted. Method characterized by. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a camera (24) is provided as the means for capturing an image. 3. The step of displaying an undistorted image of the local portion on the display (30) further comprises using Golaud shading to interpolate between adjacent pixels of the local portion to provide a smooth image. The method of claim 1 characterized. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the controller to eliminate the image distortion is further characterized by determining an amount of bow and skew in the pattern defined by the work material. Method. 5. The step of mapping the distortion is a pointing device (32) in communication with the controller (18), wherein a reference point (33) is provided along the distorted portion of the pattern (28). Further characterized by providing a pointing device (32) for locating and providing the controller (18) with the distortion map, the step of causing the controller to distort the image is performed by the pointing device (32). Analyze the specified reference point (33),
The method of claim 1, further characterized by determining the degree of distortion of the pattern (28). 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said pointing device (32) is a mouse. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein said pointing device (32) comprises a digitizing pen and a digitizing tablet. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein said pointing device (32) comprises a keyboard. 9. A method for correcting pattern distortion of a sheet-type work material (26) spread on a support surface (14), comprising at least one layer of sheet-type work material (26) defining a pattern (28). ), A frame (12), a support surface (14) carried by the frame (12), extending across the support surface (14) and moving back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the support surface (14). A possible beam (16), a cutting head (20) connected to said beam (16) and movable in its longitudinal direction, and a camera (2 attached to said cutting head (20).
4) providing a work material cutting device (16) having the work material cutting device (16) and spreading the work material (26) on the support surface (14). 28)
Programmed to analyze the distortion of the camera (2
4) and providing a controller (18) in communication with the cutting device (10), and a display (3) in communication with the controller (18).
0), and moving the beam (16) and the cutting head (20) on the support surface (14) and the work material (26) in response to a command generated by the controller (18). Operating the camera (24) to selectively capture an image of a local portion of the work material (26) spread over the support surface (14) and transmitting the image to the controller (18). Projecting the image on the display (30) based on a signal received from the controller (18); and the pattern (28) defined by the localized portion of the unfolded work material (26). The distortion of the image of the local portion is removed by the controller (18), A step of displaying an undistorted image of the local portion on the display (30), and on the undistorted image of the work material (26),
Locating a distortion-free digital representation of the pattern piece (34), the controller (30) including the pattern piece (34)
The geometrical shape defined by
6) Distorting so as to match the pattern distortion of the local portion, so that when the pattern piece (34) is cut from the spread work material, the pattern therein is not distorted. , The pattern piece (34) on the cutting head (20),
The sheet material is cut according to the distorted geometry so that when the pattern piece (34) is removed from the support surface (14), a pattern (28) defined within the piece and its boundaries is formed. A method characterized by undistorted steps. 10. The step of displaying an undistorted image of the local portion on the display (30) further comprises using Golaud shading to interpolate between adjacent pixels of the local portion to provide a smooth image. 10. The method of claim 9 characterized.